Throughout The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, Julius Caesar is presented to be very arrogant, indomitable and of course, prideful. These egotistical traits that Julius Caesar possessed were the leading cause of his murder, mainly his pride, which made this his tragic flaw. There were many warnings Julius Caesar received about his death and he would have still been alive if he had acknowledged them. Instead he chose to continue to protect his status of being a fearless, audacious ruler, which in the end, cost him his life.
While reading the play, it is understandable that Julius Caesar appeared to be very superstitious. For example, while he was discussing procedures with Antony, he told him he must touch Calpurnia during his foot race for her
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pregnancy to be painless. However, like any prideful man, Julius Caesar only allowed himself to see the good superstition, for he feels that bad fortune is inessential to him. His first warning, which instinctively altered the play’s mood, was when the soothsayer informally interrupted the foot race to give a prophecy to Julius Caesar publicly. The soothsayer advised Caesar to “Beware the ides of March” in front of an entire crowd, so of course, Julius Caesar neglected the soothsayer’s cautioning to protect his image. His arrogance obstructed him to see the meaning of the advice and to prepare for any strange occurrences, which was a cause in his fatality; he was too arrogant to believe anyone but himself (Shakespeare 1.2.14-26). We see the soothsayer in the play again to warn Caesar near the senate that the ides had not passed, which brings tension back to the play to predict that a great peril was soon coming to Caesar. Still Caesar, indubitably, ignored the soothsayer both times he appeared in the play, for he was too superior to trust a mere fortune-teller. Nevertheless, this was not his final warning, for there have been unusual signs to the day of Caesar’s demise. In addition, the play was home to many strange indications, which do not have any reasoning behind them.
While conversing with Cicero, Casca said “a common slave…held up his left hand, which did flame and burn…and yet his hand...remained unscorned…against the Capitol I met a lion, who glared upon me and went surly by, without annoying me. And there were drawn upon a heap a hundred ghastly women, transformed with their fear, who swore they saw men all in fire walk up and down the streets. And yesterday the bird of night did sit even at noon-day upon the marketplace, hooting and shrieking…for I believe they [the strange occurrences] are portentous things unto the climate that they point upon” (Shakespeare, 1.3.15-32). After this discussion, Cicero connected the omens and dangerous weather patterns towards Caesar’s arrival to the Capitol, which foretold that something dangerous was going to occur to Caesar. Meanwhile, Caesar was still too arrogant to question any of these forewarnings, since he was too prideful to come off as weak on behalf of believing in such bizarre …show more content…
events. Moreover, Calpurnia, Caesar’s wife, fears for Caesar, for she is frightened of the horrid omens she had been hearing about. She had a nightmare of seeing a statue that resembled her husband being stabbed with a hundred holes with happy Romans enjoying the sight of its blood discharging. But with strange incidences continuing to occur, he finally said, “Caesar shall forth. The things that threatened me ne'er looked but on my back. When they shall see the face of Caesar, they are vanished” (Shakespeare, 2.2.10-12). He saw that he was invincible, which enhanced his pride to its maximum. Consequently, he felt that being the ruler of Rome was more important than having to show a bit of fear for his life. Subsequently, Caesar’s pride prohibited him to share the throne of Rome with any of his comrades, angering Cassius.
He became filled with jealousy and expressed how he felt to Brutus in act one. While venting his thoughts to Brutus, Cassius explained multiple incidents in which Caesar was in need of help. To be more specific, he explained a memory of how Caesar developed a fever in Spain and how “... he did shake. 'Tis true, this god did shake! His coward lips did from their color fly, and that same eye whose bend doth awe the world did lose his luster. I did hear him groan, Ay, and that tongue of his that bade the Romans mark him and write his speeches in their books—‘Alas,’ it cried, ‘give me some drink, Titinius,‘ as a sick girl” (Shakespeare, 1.2.123-126). Cassius was livid at the fact that he was just as capable to be ruler of Rome and yet Caesar gained all the acknowledgment and praise. Cassius was irritated by Caesar’s selfishness and pride, which is why Cassius contributed to Caesar’s murder. If only Caesar had been more thoughtful to his comrades, mainly Cassius and would have shared his role of being ruler of Rome, then perhaps he could have completely avoided being murdered by his
comrades. In conclusion, Caesar’s arrogance got the best of him throughout the novel and was ultimately the end of him. In fact, minutes before he was murdered, he was giving a speech that he was too powerful to be conquered, which was proven wrong by him being murdered. His arrogance and ambition overpowered him and made him unable to think realistically and to act more generously. He had multiple opportunities to save his own life and to fix his wrong choices, but he chose to continue being inconsiderate and prideful, which proved that this was his major flaw.
Cassius, a very suspicious character throughout the play tells Brutus to “be not jealous on me” (827), in the quote he tells Brutus to not be suspicious of him because he is just a friend who genuinely cares. Cassius does this to put himself on Brutus’ side and not seem like a distant person, this allows him to criticize Caesar and suggest that he is a bad influence on Rome which appeals to Brutus’ desire to keep Rome safe. After setting himself up as a friend to Brutus, Cassius uses harsh anecdotes on the weakness of Caesar to show that he isn’t fit to rule Rome. Cassius recollects a time when he and Caesar went swimming in the river Tiber and Caesar screamed “Help me, Cassius or I sink” (828) to depict Caesar as a little baby compared to the colossus he is said to be.... ... middle of paper ...
Calpurnia attempts to scare Caesar into staying at the house instead of going to the Capitol. She begins with ethos to establish her credibility and justify her concerns. Calpurnia “never stood on ceremonies”, but now they “fright her,” juxtaposing that the omens never scared her, but are frightening enough that she now is attentive to them. Because women were not as powerful in Rome, Calpurnia further credits her argument by including the “watch.” Using selection of detail, Calpurnia Even the guards, who are men, have seen the strange events, and they are scared. Since even men are scared, it should implicate to Caesar that he should be scared as well. Calpurnia sees a lioness, an image, normally associated with strength and courage, “whelp[ing] in the streets.” The lioness is essentially crying, scared of something. Caesar is also strong, but should be scared as well. When ethos fails to impact Caesar, Calpurnia switches to using pathos to try and scare Caesar. “Fierce fiery warriors [fighting] upon the clouds,” is an image that connotes war. In war, there is death and Caesar should be afraid of death. Calpurnia uses the image of “drizzled blood upon the Capitol,” connoting death, scaring Caesar of what is to come if he chooses to go to th...
Julius Caesar, even though he is considered great, turns out to contain many flaws. He believes himself to be untouchable, and has a confidence that he cannot be harmed, even though that is not the case. He says so when he says, “Caesar shall forth. The things that threatened me ne’er looked but on ...
”(1.2.131-133) “Why, man, he doth bestride the narrow world Like a Colossus, and we petty men walk under his huge legs and peep about to find ourselves dishonourable graves.” (1.2.136-139) "I will this night, in several hands, in at his windows throw, As if they came from several citizens, writings all tend where I will wear this dagger then; Cassius from bondage will deliver Cassius.”(1.3.90) “Caesar said to me, 'Dar'st thou, Cassius, now leap in with me into this angry flood and swim to yonder point.' " Upon the word, accoutred as I was, I plunged in and bade him follow; so indeed he did.
that Caesar is just putting on an act and that once he becomes king he will not be as nice
And let no one think this tale a myth or a lie, for it is vouched for by Cornelius Balbus, an intimate friend of Caesar. the second sign came when Spurinna warned him to beware of danger, which would come not later than the ides of March. The third sign came when a little bird called the king-bird flew into the Hall of Pompey with a sprig of laurel, pursued by others of various kinds from the grove hard by, which tore it to pieces in the hall. Caesar himself dreamed of being in the clouds and his wife Calpurnia thought that the pediment of their house [had] fel...
CAESAR: He is a dreamer. Let us leave him. Pass.” (1.2.28-29) Othsayer appears to be the fortuneteller who tries to warn Caesar of an unknown danger in this situation but Caesar quickly dismisses the idea. Caesar demonstrates his control of his own life, that the predictions are merely dreams that can never turn into reality. Under such conditions, it cannot be the fate but rather the free will of Caesar himself to blame for his death for taking risks and facing life in his own way. Another instance of fate is Casca's observations of a dreadful night. He describes the setting as if there are burning slaves, crawling lion, and ghostly women on the street of the Capitol. (1.3.25-32) These omens are usually associated with fate, as that supernatural sights hints the happening of a tragedy soon, but they don't necessarily define the tragedy itself. They can refer to a series of other events and not the assassination of Caesar. Lastly, the night before the assassination, Calphurnia convinces her husband to stay home due to a nightmare, but Caesar responds with as if it is no big matter in "CAESAR: Nor heaven nor earth have been at peace tonight. Thrice hath Calphurnia in her sleep cried out "Help, ho, they murder Caesar!" (2.2.1-3) In her dream, Calpurnia claims to see the death of her husband whose blood flows all over Rome. Her fear toward
It truly must have shocked the people of that era when Caesar went to the Capitol against all warnings, because “Elizabethans generally believed that prophecies were to be taken seriously, and certainly that no prudent statesman could run the risk of ignoring them” (Ribner 58). The people of the Elizabethan era were very proper, and to see someone, even if only a character in a play, break one of the laws of nature in which they so firmly believed, was quite astounding.
He is so motivated by ambition that he decides to kill Caesar, the leader of Rome. Although dedication can be a good quality, in Cassius, it blinds him to all other things and makes him ruthless in his quest to rule Rome. Cassius’s desire for power is evident when he states, "Men at some time are masters of their fates. The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, But in ourselves, that we are underlings" (1.2.146-148). Cassius’ ambition leads him to go as far as to convince a dear friend with manipulation and false notes to help him plot to kill Caesar. His ambition makes him power hungry and he lacks the honor to back up his overzealous behavior. Cassius envies Caesar and because of this he resorts to bribery, assassinations, and imposing taxes for personal
Cassius is unhappy about Caesar potentially becoming king of Rome and Cassius works to encourage Brutus to plot against Caesar by saying, “except immortal Caesar, speaking of Brutus and groaning underneath this age’s yoke, have wished that noble Brutus had his eyes” (1.2.61-64). Cassius mentions to Brutus that people are speaking about Rome and how they wish Brutus would notice what could happen if Caesar is crowned. Cassius reveals to Brutus that the people are wondering why someone as noble as Brutus is not aware of what could happen if Caesar is crowned. Cassius is practically stroking Brutus’ ego to make him feel as though he is wiser than Caesar and should do something about Caesar. Once Caesar is dead and the triumvirate and Cassius and Brutus’ armies are in battle, Cassius yet again proves he is dishonorable when he exclaims that, “If this be known, Cassius or Caesar never shall turn back, for I will slay myself” (3.1.24-26). Committing suicide was not an honorable thing to do because it was not accepting the consequences of one’s actions. Cassius does not have the same honest reasons for the conspiracy as Brutus does, so he is constantly worried about being caught. Throughout the play, Cassius threatens to kill himself because to him, it is the easy way out and he can escape his problems without solving them. In Act 4, Cassius plays the pity card in order to make Brutus feel bad for him when he complains, “Strike, as thou didst at Caesar. For I know when thou didst hate him worst, thou lovedst him better than ever thou lovedst Cassius” (4.3.110-113). Cassius whines to Brutus that Brutus does not care as much about him as he did about Caesar. Cassius is manipulating Brutus to make him pity him. He knows that Brutus does not want Cassius to be upset so Brutus will try to reason with him, ultimately allowing Cassius to have his
In this play, Cassius’ motivation is completely inspired by evil and hatred. His jealousy of Caesar and greed for power drives him to create the conspiracy and start plotting the death of Caesar. While talking to Casca, he says, “What trash is Rome, / What rubbish and what offal, when is serves / For the bas matter to illuminate / So vile a thing as Caesar!” (I.iii.109-112). This shows some of the true feelings Cassius has about Caesar. He believes that Caesar is not worthy of his power and does not want anyone to hold more power than him. Although he justifies the killing of Caesar as an act for freedom from tyranny, his motivation is full of bad intent. In an attempt to disguise his true motives, Cassius convinces Brutus, an honorable and well-respected man, to join the conspiracy. He tells Brutus, “Brutus and Caesar-what should be in that “Caesar”? / Why should that name be sounded more than yours? / Write them together, yours is as fair a name. / Sound them, it doth become the mouth as well. / ...
Jealousy in Julius Caesar & nbsp; Jealousy causes many of the characters in The Tragedy of Julius Caesar to commit dangerous and foolish acts. Cassius' jealousy drives him to kill. Caesar. All the conspirators, except the noble Brutus, kill Caesar because they feel threatened by his power. Brutus is the only conspirator who murders Caesar. for more honorable reasons. Jealousy is a very important theme in this play. & nbsp; Cassius feels very threatened by Caesar's power. He remembers when he was an equal to Caesar, and doesn't think that Caesar deserves this much power. He comments to Brutus, "I was born free as Caesar; so were you." fed as well, and we can both endure the cold winter as well as he" (Act I, p. 1).
Much of Rome perceives Caesar as a superior being and immortal, but Cassius holds a contrasting perspective of Caesar. There is a point in his story where Caesar is crying for help, “Help me, Cassius, or I sink!” (111). Cassius also reveals a time when Caesar fell ill in Spain and how Caesar was completely taken over by this sudden sickness, “And when the fit was on him, I did mark/ How he did shake-’tis true, this god did shake,” (120-121). Cassius tells of Caesar’s weakest points, exposing moments in which Caesar does not seem godly at all. By illustrating the time in which Caesar fell ill Cassius proves that Caesar is not a celestial because become gods do not become ill, only normal citizens do. Cassius diminishes Caesar’s godly nature by illustrating how this great immortal being, cannot swim or can become terribly ill, just as any other commoner. Cassius, by exposing these moments in Caesar’s life, demonstrates to Brutus that Caesar is not fit to be a leader and is not the god Romans perceive him to be; his actions create a different person than his words. This supports Cassius’ point that Caesar is not fit to be a leader because Caesar is deceiving the people of Rome. Cassius continues to elaborate on his episode when he informs Brutus that he was crying for others to bring him water, “Ay, and that tongue of his that bade the Romans/Mark him, and write his speeches in their books,/Alas it cried, ‘Give me some drink, Titinius” (125-127). The great Caesar, whom others admire and document his words, is now begging for a drink to help him recover from the sudden illness. Cassius emphasizes how Caesar is not divine since he cannot manage sudden, challenging events. He reveals how Caesar whose words can persuade the citizens of Rome is now begging for someone to help him. This diminishes his godly nature because it demonstrates how weak Caesar can become in an instant.
Calphurnia in Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, based on Plutarch’s account of her having a nightmare where “Caesar was slain, and that she had him in her arms (“Sources” 107),” fears for her husband’s life on account of these superstitious happenings and states “O Caesar, these things are beyond all use, / And I do fear them (2.2.25-26).” Rather than being in support of these superstitions and therefore believing that fate is determined by the Gods, Calphurnia’s fear and several mentions of her physical weakness (1.2.9-11) and foolishness (2.2.110) within the play discredits the validity of such portents and omens. With these signs devalued, Shakespeare argues that it is the decisions of men alone that determines their fate and the faults of these decisions that lead to an imminent
The slave with his left hand on fire foreshadowed the rising of the Plebeians under the power of Marc Antony. The lion strolling past the Capitol foreshadowed how Caesar planned to take over as dictator of Rome. The people on fire in the streets foreshadowed the rioting of the Plebeians when Marc Antony fired them up with his speech at Caesar’s funeral. The owl appearing at noon foreshadowed the death of Caesar. The lioness giving birth in the street foreshadowed the birth of caesars of Rome after him for years, starting with his nephew Octavius, and the tzars of Russia when they wanted to become the next Roman Empire. Calpurnia’s dream predicted Caesar’s death well, after being stabbed by all of his friends and bleeding to death, the men that killed him bathed in his blood happily thinking Rome will be safe. The omen of Caesar’s ghost visiting Brutus represented Brutus’s death. Caesar said “I will see you in Philippi,” meaning he will see Brutus at the place of the battle and watch him die, which he did.